Support for the Journey...

THE MATTER 

OF A GAS CARD

Lisa Manzini-Pace, LCSW

   Hope Cancer Resources    

The patient was tall and solid with a weathered and wise face.  He asked for the Social Worker after finishing his chemo treatment at the oncology clinic.  He drove to his daily treatments  from somewhere well into Oklahoma.  The previous week he had called in advance and a gas card had been left at the reception desk.  This no nonsense man had anticipated the same thing this week.

The social worker invited him to her small office in the clinic and explained that a gas card could be given to him in person as well.  The patient indicated that time was an important factor and asked again about how to arrange for it in advance.   He sat for a while after having been issued the gas card.  The social worker asked him a little about himself.  He wasn’t a big talker but indicated that his wife had severe medical issues and would soon require surgery in Fayetteville.  They commiserated on the complexities of health and medical care.  The man had a pleasant sense of humor and they laughed a little.

Each week on the same day he would ask to see the social worker for his gas card.  She learned where he was from originally, the work he had done, about his family and more.  He was not a natural talker but seemed to enjoy the little chats.  The social worker found them pleasant as well.  He liked to laugh despite the hardships of his situation.

In later visits the patient confided that his wife wasn’t doing well.  He, however, appeared to bear up quite well despite his treatments.  They talked about the news.  It had been a turbulent couple of weeks in the nation and the world.

                

Last week the patient asked the social worker if something was wrong.  This surprised her because there had been a serious occurrence but she felt she had concealed her sadness.  She explained about the death of a young man, a senseless and tragic event.  The patient nodded with understanding.   He knew about loss.  He had been in Vietnam.  His kindness was apparent.  He later confided that his wife’s situation was even more complicated.  The social worker offered reassurance and walked him out.  As he was leaving, the man turned back with a sad smile and said, “See you next week.”

Our Mission in Northwest Arkansas

We provide compassionate, professional cancer support and education in the Northwest Arkansas region today and tomorrow.

While our mission statement does state exactly what we do, it doesn't provide much detail. So here is more information about the role we play in Northwest Arkansas in keeping our neighbors healthy and supporting those who need a little help as they battle a cancer diagnosis.


Health Education Services
On any given day it seems there is a story in the news about cancer research, new treatments or screenings, and new theories on how to prevent cancer by changing your lifestyle. It would be a challenge for any one person to keep up, so we provide the latest information through our Cancer Prevention & Education staff.

Hope Cancer Resources employs two Certified Health Education Specialists who provide cancer prevention education at no cost to employers, schools, churches, businesses and civic organizations in Northwest Arkansas. Prevention education can be tailored to the needs of the group requesting our services, and can include breast self-examination instruction, skin wellness, informational seminars on the basics of cancer and tobacco cessation. Our programs are designed to be age-appropriate for all groups from elementary schools to retirement communities. Individual tobacco cessation counseling is also available with our certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist in a six-week long one-on-one program. For more information or to set up a cancer education seminar or counseling session contact Casey Shelor, M.S., CHES, CTTS at 479-361-5847 or by email. 

In addition to prevention education, our Save-A-Life program provides assistance to the underserved and uninsured (based on financial need) for screening and diagnostic tests for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers. Throughout the year, with the assistance of local physicians who volunteer their time, we also hold free prostate (September) and skin cancer (April) screenings and provide free colon/rectal screening kits (March). These programs provide access to early detection, thereby offering a better chance for successful treatment and recovery. For more information, contact Christina Bostian at 479-361-5847 or by email.
For some individuals with a family history of cancer, a hereditary risk consultation may be in their best interest. Consultation is available to discuss risk factors for pertinent cancers. For more information or to set up a personal and confidential appointment, contact Sandy Prince at 479-361-5847 or by email. Patient Support Services When a cancer patient visits their oncologist for the first time, the experience can be a welcome relief, but it can also be a source of great stress and anxiety. All too often, the physical effects of cancer are only a part of the whole picture. Worries about finances, family, side-effects of treatment, and even death can be overwhelming to the point that treatment may seem unbearable and recovery unreachable. Our licensed Social Workers meet with patients and their caregivers - usually on the patient's very first visit to the oncology clinic - to determine what challenges they might face during their treatments. They address those that can be lessened or avoided with our assistance and refer patients to other resources as necessary. Our social workers are allies who are available to be called on as often as necessary on the journey toward recovery. Some of the services we provide include: Transportation – Our drivers provide rides in Hope Cancer Resources' vehicles to and from treatment and other cancer-related medical appointments when a patient is unable to drive. Prescription Assistance – We assist with the purchase of cancer-related prescriptions and will help find long-term drug assistance through pharmaceutical company assistance programs whenever possible. Emergency Assistance – We provide direct, temporary assistance to cancer patients who are struggling financially due to their treatment, including payments for housing and/or transportation needs as well as dental needs associated with their cancer diagnosis. Emotional Assistance - Licensed social workers help patients and caregivers cope with emotional distress. We offer counseling, education and information on support groups offered in our community, including those facilitated by our staff. Spanish Interpretation - Our Spanish interpreter is available to assist patients during appointments as requested by patients and their caregivers. Contact Kathy Taylor at 479-361-5847 or by email.  We are grateful for the support of our community and for our staff who provide such outstanding care. For more information on our services or how you can be involved, contact us at 479-361-5847.